Crochet Cowl Pattern With Bulky Yarn, Calera Cowl

A woman standing outside in front of winter trees wearing a striped crochet cowl pattern with bulky yarn over a gray sweater. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

Crochet cowl with bulky yarn

Calera Cowl is a cozy, casual striped cowl crocheted with two contrasting colors of bulky or category 5 weight yarn. I used to ombre colors, so both colors gradually shift darker as you crochet from bottom to top.

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A woman standing outside in front of winter trees wearing a striped crochet cowl over a gray sweater. White and purple panels with text read: Free crochet pattern, spiral striped cowl, chunky yarn, banana moon studio.

Clever spiral construction

This bulky weight crochet cowl is striped, but the clever spiral construction method means that there are no seams, jagged color changes, or color floats!

This magic is accomplished by starting a row of crochet with the color A. Then you start a second row with a few stitches in color B and then continue with the second color by stitching into the first row of color A.

For the third round you will go back to the loop of color A that you left off at the end of Row 1. You bring the ends of the piece together and start stitching into the color B stitches of Row 2, now working in spiral rounds.

Each successive round ends by taking your hook out of the loop and inserting a locking stitch marker to prevent unraveling.

Then the next round begins by putting your hook back into the live loop from two rounds below and stitch around.

It’s a pretty ingenious way to crochet in stripes! If that sounds confusing, don’t worry. There is a full video tutorial linked in the notes section of the free pattern below.

Where can I get this bulky crochet cowl pattern?

This cowl crochet pattern is free right here in this post! Just scroll down for the free version. You’ll have to sign into Grow with your email address to access the full pattern.

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Calera Cowl, a Crochet Cowl Pattern With Bulky Yarn

By April Garwood of Banana Moon Studio

Difficulty Level: Easy+

Finished Measurements: 18 inches tall x 44 ½ inches around.

Yarn: We Crochet Wonderfluff Ombre (70% Baby Alpaca, 23% Nylon, 7% Merino Wool; 284 yds; 100 g; yarn weight category: 5/Bulky): 1 skein #29294 Larkspur Heather (color A), 1 skein #61003 Royal Heather (color B).

Yardage: You will need 220 yds of each color.

Crochet Hook: 7 mm, or size needed to match gauge.

My 7 mm hook is also marked as an L crochet hook. Some L crochet hooks are 8 mm. If you click the link above you will be directed to Furl’s Fiberarts where you can purchase the same hook that I used.

Notions: Locking stitch marker, tapestry needle

Gauge: 10 sts x 8 rnds = 4 inches in spiral hdc pattern as for Cowl

Notes

This pattern uses standard US terms. For help with abbreviations, get my free, printable crochet abbreviations list here.

See this tutorial post for help with basic crochet stitches.

This cowl is crocheted with two colors spiraling around each other.

You’ll begin with a row of color A and then remove the hook from the live loop, putting a locking stitch marker in its place to prevent unraveling.

Then you’ll start a second small piece in color B. Once you’ve stitched into all the color B chains, you’ll begin stitching into the stitches of color A, joining the two pieces together.

Then the ends of the piece will be brought together. You’ll switch back to color A and start working into the color B stitches, joining the ends together.

If this seems confusing, check out the full tutorial video here.

Cowl

With A, leaving a long tail, ch 103.

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Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in each remaining ch, remove loop from hook and insert a stitch marker to prevent unraveling – 102 sts.

Row 2: With B, leaving a long tail, make a slip knot and ch 9, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in each remaining ch, working into stitches of Row 1, hdc in each st across, remove loop from hook and insert a stitch marker to prevent unraveling – 110 sts.

Rnd 3: Place hook into live loop of A, making sure not to twist piece, bring ends together, working into sts of of Row 2, hdc in each st around, remove loop from hook and insert a stitch marker to prevent unraveling.

Rnd 4: Place hook into live loop of B, hdc in each st around, remove loop from hook and insert a stitch marker to prevent unraveling.

Rnd 5: Place hook into live loop of A, hdc in each st around, remove loop from hook and insert a stitch marker to prevent unraveling.

Alternate repeating Rnds 4 and 5 for pattern.

Work in pattern for a total of 38 rnds.

Final row: Place hook in live loop of B, hdc in next 8 sts, sc in next 3 sts, sl st in next st, fasten off B, place hook in live loop of A, sc in next 3 sts, sl st in next st. Fasten off.

A woman stands outside in front of winter trees holding out a striped crochet cowl make in bulky weight yarn. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

Finishing

Using long tails from Rows 1 and 2, sew gaps in bottom edge closed.

Weave in all ends. Block.

That finishes this crochet cowl pattern with bulky yarn! I hope you LOVE your new cowl!

I would love to see your in-process or finished cowl! You can share it on Instagram and tag me, or you can join my friendly Facebook group and share it there.

Happy crocheting!